Modi's talk of Hindu-Muslim unity a gimmick: Jamaat

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's call for Hindu-Muslim unity in the wake of the Patna blasts was a "mere political gimmick", Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said Saturday.

"(Narendra) Modi talking about Hindu-Muslim unity is a political gimmick ahead of the impending elections in five states," the organisation's chief, Maulana Jalaluddin Umari told media persons here.

Six people were killed in serial blasts that took place in Patna Sunday before Modi's rally.

Reacting to reports that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in a bid to give Modi's rallies a secular hue, was asking Muslims to attend the gatherings dressed in traditional veils and skull caps, Umari said such measures won't help the party.

"Who knows who it is behind the burqa (veil)? The person may well be a man. I condemn the use of such Muslim symbols," Umari said.